Nascar – Brian Vickers on pole at Talladega

The Geico 500 held at Talladega Superspeedway (Alabama) marks the finale of the “Contender Round” where several title contenders are in difficulty. If Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsport) is in a bad position, the six-time champion will start from second position after failing to be a tenth behind Brian Vickers (Michael Waltrip Racing), the author of the pole with a time of 48. The driver of the No. 825 Chevrolet is ahead of AJ Allmendinger (JTG Daugherty Racing) and Ryan Blaney (Team Penske).

Brad Keselowski (Team Penske) is also one of the Chasers who must aim for victory to be assured of a place in the next round of the play-offs. The 2012 champion will start from fifth position, his teammate Joey Logano being only 40th but already qualified. Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports) is eighth, three places ahead of Ryan Newman (Richard Childress Racing). Dale Earnhardt Jr (Hendrick Motorsports) is the worst off since he will only start from 28th place on the grid.

The Geico 500 at Talladega will be contested from 20 p.m. (French time) and will be followed live on AB Matériaux.